Since debuting in 1980's Avengers #195, the Taskmaster has grown from a generic villain into one of the most interesting figures in all of Marvel Comics. With a mysterious past, interesting powers, and an equally heroic and villainous track record, Taskmaster has never been an easy character for even the most die-hard comic fans to explain.

The character made their live-action debut in Black Widow, and the film reimagined the character quite a bit. Taskmaster from the comics, however, has a long and complicated backstory, full of contradictions, casualties, and conundrums.

10 Taskmaster's Main Power Is Having Photographic Reflexes

As established in his first appearance, Taskmaster's primary power is his "photographic reflexes," which allow him to instantly memorize and replicate any physical movements he has seen performed, no matter how complex, and even if observed only briefly.

This ability transcends beyond what he is able to physically, in-person witness, with Taskmaster also capable of reviewing and retaining video footage to the same effect. Having studied the signature moves and fighting styles of a plethora of Marvel's heroes, Taskmaster boasts a fighting prowess that includes exact duplications of the hand-to-hand arsenals of Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Fist, and many more.

9 His Powers Cause Amnesia

While his powers have allowed him to amass a vast and instantly recallable catalog of fighting styles collected from various Marvel heroes and villains, Taskmaster's unique abilities are a double-edged sword. As he continues to accumulate abilities to add to his arsenal, his personal memories have slowly become erased in the process.

With each new fighting style he logs for future replication, Taskmaster forgets another piece of his past, which at this point includes most of his life before becoming a costumed mercenary, including his original identity, given name, and family.